Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Vit C): What It Is and Why We Use It
Vitamin C has taken the skincare world by storm in recent years and for very good reason. It’s a powerful ingredient (when formulated effectively) that is quite literally the answer to any sun-damaged and dull skin’s prayers. As the name suggests it’s a vitamin, meaning it is a naturally occurring compound found in our food – hello strawberries, kiwi fruits, and oranges! More specifically, it’s an antioxidant which makes it very good at protecting your cells from free radical damage and optimizing immune function… amongst many other incredible things. Most importantly, our bodies do not produce this on their own; you must get it from your diet – or if you want direct action like us, your skincare!
If you’ve been a part of our herd for a while, you’re already aware that not all skincare products are created equal. Even though a high-tech, beautifully branded serum may tout itself as full of Vitamin C, promising to inject immediate radiance into your face, often the marketing speaks way louder than real results.
So, we set off on a mission to create a Vitamin C Serum that works exactly like it says on the label.
How we made a Vitamin C Serum that works!
We made our serum by dissolving an oil-soluble form of Vitamin C called Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate or VCIP, through a base of hydrating antioxidant oils that mimic the skin's own sebum. This means that it’s easily absorbed into the skin, getting the goods right where you want them. Inferior water-soluble forms of Vitamin C don’t penetrate well into the skin, and VCIP is the most expensive because it is the most stable - but for us it’s worth it for the extra antioxidant activity it provides your skin.
VCIP at this concentration is especially good for addressing pigmentation and sun damage. Although VCIP is a very expensive ingredient, we’ve done our best to keep this serum as affordable as possible. After comparing other serums with a similar amount of VCIP, we think you will be happy you found us!
The supporting ingredients
This serum is also mixed with Vitamin E. We only use Natural Vitamin E because synthetic Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopherol) only contains Alpha Tocopherol while our Natural Vitamin E contains both Alpha and Gamma Tocopherol. Research is starting to suggest that it may be the Gamma Tocopherol that gives the most benefit to the skin. We love it so much that you’ll find it in almost all of our skin care products!
The base oil is Olive Squalane, and we use it because it tops up the natural Squalane that your skin slowly stops making around your mid-20s. This provides hydration to the skin, and moist, hydrated skin has increased flexibility and resists forming lines and wrinkles. This is not to be confused with Squalene, which is a different type of oil that isn’t the most ethical; and we’re not about that.
But that’s enough talk from us! Check out our Vitamin C Brightening Active Serum for yourself and be sure to let us know what you think.
